This week, an Ifop poll shows that 40% of female online gamers have already been victims of some form of sexism, and that a majority of gamers too adhere to certain stereotypes. Decryption with Laure Valée, correspondent for franceinfo.
The news of professional video game competitions on franceinfo with our consultant Laure Valée, a news marked this week by the release of an Ifop survey with quite damning results in terms of sexism, for online players. 40% of them claim to be victims of sexism.
franceinfo: How is the study received in the community?
Laura Valee: Inevitably, a study like this is very well received. Anyway, everything that deals with sexism, misogyny, and inclusivity in esports and video games, these are subjects that are very well received by the community, but also by professionals. middle. And here the result is quite overwhelming, but at the same time, not surprising.
The majority of gamers, 62%, subscribe to at least one sexist stereotype, so we also have 22% of gamers who feel like a “gamer”, and for whom a man’s job is to earn money, and that of a woman is rather to take care of the house and the family. We try to fight against these stereotypes that we find a lot in the game, and in the attitude of the players. And inevitably, a study like that, even if it is scary, it shows prospects for progress.
In any case faced with this sexism, the players have put in place avoidance strategies?
What is an avoidance strategy? These are strategies to precisely try to avoid this kind of behavior. For example, we have four out of 10 players who have already approached this kind of strategy. We are afraid of derogatory remarks, we are afraid of teasing, we are afraid of insults.
For example, 30% of gamers have already refused to participate in a voice chat, 23% have already avoided playing an online game. 16% of gamers have even hidden their gender, on the platforms or on the games they play. These are things that we find, especially in fighting games, which can be quite sexist. But anyway, it’s a trend that we find on a lot of platforms and a lot of video games, unfortunately.
Sexism affects players, but also some video game development studios. I am thinking of Ubisoft, Riot Games, accused of discrimination, Riot which is showing this week that it takes these subjects very seriously?
It made a lot of noise, just a few years ago, and we had a desire on the part of publishers like Ubisoft or Riot Games to try to improve the situation. From the results of the evaluations, it can be seen that there are no major statistical differences, in terms of salaries and promotions, for example.
Riot has also been known to implement benefits related to LGBTQ+ care for Rioters and their families, being part of the community, inclusion groups, support groups. So, yes, there had been a lot of problems over the past few years, but at least there was an attempt to try to improve the situation and make everyone feel included and included.